The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards—in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners¬—the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.

Hollywood, Calif. – With the 91st Academy Awards just 10 days away, WalletHub today released its 2019 Oscars Facts report, which includes an infographic filled with fun facts about the event as well as a Q&A with a panel of entertainment experts.

$2.6M+: Cost of a 30-second commercial during the Oscars telecast (50% less than the Super Bowl)

$24.7K: Cost of the 16,500-square-foot Oscars red carpet

$400: Current value of the 24-karat gold-plated Oscar statuette

2nd time: The Oscar telecast will not have a host (first since 1989)

“Look, it’s a gig that has all eyes on it. And when you’re doing something that’s that much in the spotlight, with that much focus on it, that much intensity, you’re going to have a lot of opinions from a lot of people. I’m trying to think of the last time that I read a review of the Oscars the next day where everyone is raving about it—it’s been a long time.” – Seth McFarlane

Oscar turns 91 in 2019. And like many seniors who came of age in a different era, this golden guy has had a tough time adapting. Hollywood’s biggest bugaboos – racial and gender equality – are far from resolved. But the movie industry’s stars say time’s up, and much of the fanbase echoes that sentiment with a chorus of me-toos – partly why the ceremony has no host for the first time in 30 years. The nominations for the 91st Academy Awards also include a record number of women.

Whom Oscar goes home with remains to be seen, of course. The same also goes for whether PricewaterhouseCoopers’ 85th time tallying the votes will produce another Moonlight-esque switcheroo. But you don’t have to wait to get in the Oscars spirit. There are lots of great movies to catch up on, plus plenty of interesting Oscars stats to dig into.

To help you get psyched for Hollywood’s biggest night, WalletHub did our homework on everything from box office sales and Rotten Tomatoes ratings for the Best Picture nominees to the price of awards-season lobbying. You can find all of these awesome Oscars fun facts in the infographic below. And that’s followed by a Q&A on the state of the film industry with a panel of entertainment experts. Enjoy the show!

Santa Clarita, Calif. – Put on your cowboy boots and get ready for some fun at the Canyon in Santa Clarita for a Special Valentine’s Event!

Get Started with Fantastic Diamond is an incredible live tribute show that takes the audience on a journey of Neil Diamond’s greatest hits that span the last 40 years. Performed by vocalist Kevin Hogan and five incredible musicians behind him. Kevin possesses the unique ability to perform and sound just like Neil Diamond, This uncanny talent enables Fantastic Diamond to recreate and perform the music in a way that makes you feel like you’re seeing the real thing.

February 14, 2019

Doors 6pm. Headliner 8:00pm

$19.50 + applicable fees

If you purchase a ticket at a table you are required to purchase dinner. Minimum spend is $25.00 per person.

Under 18 Must Be Accompanied by a Paying Adult.

Special Start time TONIGHT in Santa Clarita! Valentines Day, NO DANCE LESSONS TONIGHT & Doors at 9pm!!! DJ Cody in the mix playing your favorite line dances, two steps and couples dances. See y’all tonight!

Mandarin VIP Experience tours will be offered on a weekly basis through June 1, 2019. For more information and to book a reservation, guests can visitwww.ush.cn and www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com or call 818-622-8477.

Mandarin VIP Experience at Universal Studios Hollywood – Guests are invited to disembark and explore areas of the backlot typically inaccessible to the general public. From realistic exterior sets such as the New York Streets where scenes in such blockbusters as Transformers and The Sting were filmed to the iconic Courthouse Square made famous in the Back to the Future movies and To Kill a Mocking Bird, VIP Experience guests can walk along the same sets that have been immortalized in countless films, television shows and commercials.

The Mandarin VIP Experience complements Universal Studios Hollywood’s popular VIP Experience. Helmed by expertly-trained tour guides, the VIP Experience offers guests from around the world a front row seat to the magic of movie and television production with escorted express access to all rides and attractions, behind-the-scenes access to movie and television sets and soundstages, including the legendary Property Warehouse and the Costume Department, along with exclusive entry to a reserved VIP lounge, a gourmet buffet lunch in a private dining room prepared by the theme park’s executive chef and valet parking.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s VIP Experience is a full-day adventure that has guests traveling in style aboard specially-designed trolleys equipped with LED monitors featuring clips from movies and TV shows previously filmed on the lot to add further context to the exclusive tours.

Adding to the insider’s look at the legendary studio, guests are invited to disembark and explore areas of the backlot typically inaccessible to the general public. From realistic exterior sets such as the New York Streets where scenes in such blockbusters as Transformers and The Sting were filmed to the iconic Courthouse Square made famous in the Back to the Future movies and To Kill a Mocking Bird, VIP Experience guests can walk along the same sets that have been immortalized in countless films, television shows and commercials.

Highlights of the VIP Experience also include visits to Universal’s famed Property Warehouse and Costume Department. Built in 1915, the 130,000 square-foot, four-story facility contains over 400,000 unique items representing virtually every set dressing and handheld article ever created for the big or small screen, and the Costume Department features a diverse collection of over 800,000 articles of clothing, costumes, accessories and jewelry required for any production spanning across time.

Universal Studios Hollywood is The Entertainment Capital of L.A. and includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour. As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Recent additions include “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™”. Other immersive lands include “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” as well as “Springfield,” hometown of America’s favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning “The Simpsons Ride™” and the “The Walking Dead” daytime attraction and the all-new DreamWorks Theatre featuring “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest.” The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s signature attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest and busiest movie and television production studio where they can also experience such authentic thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged.” The adjacentUniversal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex also includes the all-new multi-million dollar, redesigned Universal CityWalk Cinema, featuring deluxe recliner seating in screening room quality theatres, and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert stage.

Long Beach, Calif. – Eighty-eight years ago, in the quaint seaside town of Clydebank, Scotland, construction began on the Queen Mary. Exemplifying the finest craftsmanship of the country, the Queen Mary’s heritage is celebrated throughout the two-day ScotsFestival honoring Scottish culture.

Experience the rich culture and history of Scotland first hand through an array of authentic activities, athletics, dancing, entertainment and cuisine, paying homage to the Queen Mary’s Scottish legacy at the upcoming annual ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXVI February 16 & 17 (9AM – 6PM).

The Queen Mary is pleased to welcome back the annual ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXVI February 16 & 17 (9AM – 6PM). Experience the rich culture and history of Scotland first hand through an array of authentic activities, athletics, dancing, entertainment and cuisine, paying homage to the Queen Mary’s Scottish legacy.

ScotsFestival honors nearly fifty Scottish clans & vendors throughout the weekend with professional and amateur competitions in piping, drumming, massed bands, darts, Highland dancing, and the brand new North American Professional Highland athletics. The Scottish Highland Games, a precursor to today’s Olympic Games, were designed to test the strength, skill, and technique of ancient warriors through face-offs. With falconry, sheep herding and a large array of other activities, guests will have culture at every turn!

Whisky tasting sessions with aged malt experts are available for adult festivalgoers while the wee laddies & lassies can bear witness to Queen Mary’s coronation, knighting ceremonies, and even take part in the Wee Highland games.

This February, join us for our 26th annual ScotsFestival celebration. Stay tuned for more information, Highland Games and activities registration, entertainment, and all the amazing offerings coming this year!Buy Tickets

Los Angeles, Calif. – Architects, dignitaries and community members cheered today during the highly anticipated groundbreaking for The Grand, a visionary public-private partnership with the Los Angeles Grand Avenue Authority to revitalize downtown LA’s cultural and civic core with a mix of commercial, retail, cultural and residential units stitched together with great public spaces and world class architecture.

The Grand, a multi-phased master planned development is re-envisioning and re-developing underutilized government-owned parcels directly adjacent to the Civic Center and key cultural institutions such as the Music Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall just across the street for the development. Images/Gehry partners

This multi-phased master planned development is re-envisioning and re-developing underutilized government-owned parcels directly adjacent to the Civic Center and key cultural institutions such as the Music Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Colburn School of Music, and the Museum of Contemporary Art to form a dynamic mixed-use district fitting for the cultural center of Los Angeles. Key completed project components include: Grand Park, a 12-acre public park (completed 2012); The Emerson residential tower (completed 2014); and The Broad contemporary art museum (completed by The Broad Collection 2015).

The Grand’s 173,000 square feet of leasable retail area will include destination restaurants and shopping spanning three levels of landscaped open terraces along with a 430-seat luxury cinema, making it downtown’s premiere entertainment destination. Images/Gehry partners

Future phases include Grand Avenue Parcel Q, also known as The Grand, designed by Frank Gehry, which will include a dynamic mix of hotel, dining, nightlife and residential anchored by a central public plaza above five levels of parking. The Grand’s 173,000 square feet of leasable retail area will include destination restaurants and shopping spanning three levels of landscaped open terraces along with a 430-seat luxury cinema, making it downtown’s premiere entertainment destination. The Grand’s residential tower will rise 39-stories high with 436 apartments, comprised of 323 luxury apartments and 113 ultra-premium apartments. A 20-story, 309-room Equinox Hotel will flank the residential tower and include approximately 12,000 square feet of ballrooms and meeting rooms and 27,000 square feet of restaurants, lounges and outdoor amenities.

Located within walking distance of eight different entertainment and cultural venues, The Grand’s Frank Gehry-design will create a natural synergy with the neighborhood’s arts destinations and play host to its own permanent and temporary art installations. Construction is slated to begin in 2018 with anticipated completion in 2021.

The Grand’s Frank Gehry-design will create a natural synergy with the neighborhood’s arts destinations and play host to its own permanent and temporary art installations. Construction is slated to begin in 2018 with anticipated completion in 2021. Images/Gehry partnersImages/Gehry partners

Residents can offer input for the design, and participate in design workshops

The City of Santa Clarita is skating forward with the Santa Clarita Skate Park Public Art Project, which will create a permanent public art piece at the park. The City is asking for community input through an online survey to help determine the look and specific location for the design. The survey can be found at scskatepark.com.

The City of Santa Clarita Arts Commission 2018 Work Plan and Public Art Proposal, identified the Skate Park Public Art Project as a public art project, and in 2018, the Arts Commission gave approval for mural artist Miguel A. Del Real to carry out a skate park community engagement plan in order to create a project proposal.

“I’m looking forward to building connections with Santa Clarita’s skate park riders and listening to their voice. I want to involve them in the process of the design concept,” said Del Real. Del Real will be at the Skate Park on Friday, February 22 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to meet and greet the community, and answer any questions about the project.

Along with giving input for the design and location of the art piece, residents will also have the opportunity to sign up for design and paint workshops at the end of the survey. The workshops will be led by Del Real, who will teach attendees about urban art and painting techniques. Based on availability, participants will be able to choose from either Saturday, February 23 from 10:00 a.m. until noon, or Sunday, February 24 from noon until 2:00 p.m. The Skate Park is located at 20840 Centre Pointe Parkway. For more information about the Santa Clarita Skate Park Project, please visit scskatepark.com, or contact Katherine Nestved at knestved@santa-clarita.com.

The first-ever festival in Santa Clarita celebrating the vegan movement is coming this May – the Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) VegFestwill sprout on Saturday, May 4, 2019 from noon to 9:00 p.m. in Santa Clarita’s Central Park, located at 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road.

The VegFest will be will be an outdoor festival celebrating delicious vegan food, unlimited pours of beer, wine and kombucha, and a compassionate cruelty-free way of living. Although the name may suggest the festival is geared only towards those who abstain from meat, this is not the case at all – all ages and non-vegan eaters are welcome!

“Foodies, vegetarians, meat-eaters, really anyone who wants to learn about living a more healthy and sustainable lifestyle would have a blast at the festival,” says festival co-founder Jess Guidroz.

VegFest attendees can expect a combination of over 50 participating restaurants, vendors and food trucks, including: Beyond Meat, Delighted by Hummus, and Amaro Pizzeria, as well as a variety of local craft beer and wine vendors. In addition to scrumptious vegan cuisine to sample or buy, there will also be live music, two DJ’s, a lounge and dance area, celebrity vegan speakers, yoga in the park, vegan-friendly merchandise, a children’s play area, and much more.

The festival is the brainchild of Jess and Nicole Guidroz, who wanted to create a high-vibe event to promote a happy healthy lifestyle and to prove how exciting flavors can be despite myths about vegan foods. Proceeds from the festival benefit non-profit organizations: Kakao, Charity Water, Bridge to Home, and Family Promise.

Early bird pricing is now available. For more event info, including a schedule of events, visit www.SCVVegFest.com.

Santa Clarita, Calif. – Thursdays@Newhall series presented by the City of Santa Clarita, returns in February with a pair of FREE events inside The MAIN in Old Town Newhall. The last month of the winter slate, February features both the 10 by 10 Variety Show and Note by Note Music Night before the series takes on a new schedule in March 2019. Thursdays@Newhall is an ongoing opportunity for residents of Santa Clarita to attend shows, concerts and special events on Thursdays throughout the year.

The month begins February 7 at The MAIN (24266 Main Street), when 10 performers will take the stage for 10 minutes each and share their comedy, storytelling, short films and music at the monthly 10 by 10 Variety Show from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. One of the featured performances shines the spotlight on Madeline Conroy and Paul Blinder, 2018 Southern California Tango Championship finalists, who will enthrall the audience with the beauty of the Argentine tango. Performances this month will also include storytelling with Mary-Margaret Martinez and The Golden Pen Writers’ Guild of Santa Clarita; magic by Raul Fernandez; music by Nicole and Scotty, The Gamblers, Santiago Valencia and Kamili Mitchell; comedy with Kelly Spillman and Marty Ross; and a screening of the short film “The Perfect Date for Every Woman,” written and directed by Carrie Daniel.

The Note by Note Music Night settles into its new slot on the fourth Thursday of the month and will take place inside The MAIN from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on February 28. Note by Note is a free night of music, delighting audiences with a variety of genres. Bands, duos and soloists will perform a wide range of styles, including rock, folk, Celtic, Americana, blues, jazz, country, experimental, western and more! Featured performers in February include Ted Camp, Carrie Wade and Gnawest. Artists interested in performing at Note by Note can learn more at ThursdaysAtNewhall.com/NotebyNote.

As the calendar flips to March, residents will enjoy the return of both JAM Sessions and the monthly SENSES Block Party. JAM Sessions moves to a new night and location, and will now take place on the second Thursday of the month at the Newhall Community Center (22421 Market Street) beginning March 14. JAM Sessions brings dance lessons and original live music performances to Newhall each month from March through October.

The wildly popular SENSES Block Party also returns to Main Street in Old Town Newhall on the third Thursday of the month beginningMarch 21. Stimulate your senses as you enjoy live music, gourmet food trucks, drinks, activities and more! The theme for each monthly block party will be announced later this month on the Thursdays@Newhall Facebook page.

For more information about the City of Santa Clarita’s Thursdays@Newhall events, visit ThursdaysAtNewhall.com or contact the City’s Arts and Events Office at (661) 250-3787.

Universal City, CA, February 6, 2019 – Ready to get fit in 2019? Guests, fitness buffs, runners and walkers alike are invited to join Stuart, Tim and Tom in Universal Studios Hollywood’s 5K Minion Run, the first in the theme park’s Running Universal™ series, which kicks off on Saturday, May 11.

Universal Studios Hollywood

The inaugural Minion Run, featuring Illumination’s mischievous Minions from the popular “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” ride,invites participants ages five and older (of all experience levels) to wind their way around Universal Studios Hollywood and through parts of Universal Studios’ historic backlot, made famous in more than 8,000 movies and television shows. The run will give participants an unprecedented insider’s view of the Entertainment Capital of L.A.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Starting at Universal Studios Hollywood’s iconic front gates, participants will pass through some of the theme park’s immersive areas and attractions before winding their way along the historic backlot and into the magical world of movie-making as they head toward the finish line at CityWalk’s 5 Towers outdoor concert stage. Highlights along the way include the notorious Psycho House, the eerie War of the Worlds set and the colorful Who-ville backdrop from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Along the 3.1 mile course, participants will be entertained by some of their favorite Universal Studios Hollywood characters, including the Minions.

Universal Studios Hollywood

The program will begin at 6 a.m. and culminate at 7:30 a.m. with a memorable awards and closing ceremony.

Register here for the event which will fill up quickly as space is limited. For more information about the standard, VIP and Fan packages, visit www.RunningUniversal.com.

Click here for video and here for images of Minions Tim, Tom and Stuart Training for the Minion Run.